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EMPOWER Act

USA116th CongressHR-1521| House 
| Updated: 4/8/2019
Lois Frankel

Lois Frankel

Democratic Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (88)
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democratic)Al Lawson (Democratic)Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)John Katko (Republican)Elise M. Stefanik (Republican)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Joseph P. Kennedy (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Jackie Speier (Democratic)Kathleen M. Rice (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Derek Kilmer (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Debra A. Haaland (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Andy Levin (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Katherine M. Clark (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Susan A. Davis (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Alan S. Lowenthal (Democratic)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Katie Hill (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Jim Cooper (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Kathy Castor (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Peter J. Visclosky (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Antonio Delgado (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Albio Sires (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)TJ Cox (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Ayanna Pressley (Democratic)Alcee L. Hastings (Democratic)Veronica Escobar (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Grace F. Napolitano (Democratic)Katie Porter (Democratic)Susan Wild (Democratic)
Committees (7)
• Committee on House Administration• Ways and Means Committee• Financial Services Committee• Judiciary Committee• Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee• Education and Workforce Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting Act or the EMPOWER Act This bill addresses policies and procedures related to claims of workplace harassment. Specifically, the bill makes it an unlawful practice (with exceptions regarding certain settlement or separation agreements) for an employer to (1) enter into a contract with an employee or applicant, as a condition of employment, promotion, compensation, benefits, or change in employment status or contractual relationship, if that contract contains a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace harassment; and (2) enforce, or attempt to enforce, a nondisparagement clause or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace harassment. Under the bill, an employee or applicant retains any right they would otherwise have had to report a concern about workplace harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other specified agencies, regardless of whether they have signed a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause. Employees or applicants also retain the right to pursue legal action regardless of signing such clauses. The bill sets forth (1) enforcement powers of the EEOC and other entities, and the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, regarding workplace harassment; and (2) the applicable procedures and remedies for employees' claims. The EEOC must (1) establish a confidential tip-line that supplements its process for submitting a charge of discrimination, and (2) provide for the development and dissemination of workplace training programs and information regarding workplace harassment. The bill modifies the tax treatment of expenses and payments related to workplace harassment and employment discrimination.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-3728
EMPOWER Act of 2018
Mar 5, 2019
Introduced in House
Mar 5, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 8, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jun 20, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-1917
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-3728
    EMPOWER Act of 2018


  • March 5, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • March 5, 2019
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • April 8, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.


  • June 20, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-1917
    Introduced in Senate

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • S 116-574: EMPOWER Act—Part 2
  • S 116-575: EMPOWER Act—Part 1
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityCongressional officers and employeesContracts and agencyCorporate finance and managementCrime victimsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityIncome tax deductionsIncome tax exclusionLabor-management relationsLegal fees and court costsLibrary of CongressMarketing and advertisingMerit Systems Protection BoardSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Sex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offensesState and local government operationsTax administration and collection, taxpayersWages and earnings

EMPOWER Act

USA116th CongressHR-1521| House 
| Updated: 4/8/2019
Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting Act or the EMPOWER Act This bill addresses policies and procedures related to claims of workplace harassment. Specifically, the bill makes it an unlawful practice (with exceptions regarding certain settlement or separation agreements) for an employer to (1) enter into a contract with an employee or applicant, as a condition of employment, promotion, compensation, benefits, or change in employment status or contractual relationship, if that contract contains a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace harassment; and (2) enforce, or attempt to enforce, a nondisparagement clause or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace harassment. Under the bill, an employee or applicant retains any right they would otherwise have had to report a concern about workplace harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other specified agencies, regardless of whether they have signed a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause. Employees or applicants also retain the right to pursue legal action regardless of signing such clauses. The bill sets forth (1) enforcement powers of the EEOC and other entities, and the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, regarding workplace harassment; and (2) the applicable procedures and remedies for employees' claims. The EEOC must (1) establish a confidential tip-line that supplements its process for submitting a charge of discrimination, and (2) provide for the development and dissemination of workplace training programs and information regarding workplace harassment. The bill modifies the tax treatment of expenses and payments related to workplace harassment and employment discrimination.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-3728
EMPOWER Act of 2018
Mar 5, 2019
Introduced in House
Mar 5, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 8, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jun 20, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-1917
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-3728
    EMPOWER Act of 2018


  • March 5, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • March 5, 2019
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • April 8, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.


  • June 20, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-1917
    Introduced in Senate
Lois Frankel

Lois Frankel

Democratic Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (88)
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democratic)Al Lawson (Democratic)Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)John Katko (Republican)Elise M. Stefanik (Republican)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Joseph P. Kennedy (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Jackie Speier (Democratic)Kathleen M. Rice (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Derek Kilmer (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Debra A. Haaland (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Andy Levin (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Katherine M. Clark (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Susan A. Davis (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Alan S. Lowenthal (Democratic)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Katie Hill (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Jim Cooper (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Kathy Castor (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Peter J. Visclosky (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Antonio Delgado (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Albio Sires (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)TJ Cox (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Ayanna Pressley (Democratic)Alcee L. Hastings (Democratic)Veronica Escobar (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Grace F. Napolitano (Democratic)Katie Porter (Democratic)Susan Wild (Democratic)
Committees (7)
• Committee on House Administration• Ways and Means Committee• Financial Services Committee• Judiciary Committee• Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee• Education and Workforce Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • S 116-574: EMPOWER Act—Part 2
  • S 116-575: EMPOWER Act—Part 1
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityCongressional officers and employeesContracts and agencyCorporate finance and managementCrime victimsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityIncome tax deductionsIncome tax exclusionLabor-management relationsLegal fees and court costsLibrary of CongressMarketing and advertisingMerit Systems Protection BoardSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Sex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offensesState and local government operationsTax administration and collection, taxpayersWages and earnings